Deep Well. Living Yoga Blog

Keeping the body clean and healthy is one of the governing precepts of Yoga. Yogis recognize that there is not just a physical body, but a "subtle energy" body that can get fogged up with residue of stress, unprocessed emotions, and excess mental energy.

The practice of Trataka (TRAH-tuh-kuh), or candle-gazing is often recommended to alleviate eye strain, but here I will share the use of Trataka as an "energy hygiene" technique. ​

TRATAKA: CANDLE-GAZING

Prepare as if for meditation - quiet space, no distractions, comfortable stable seat, long spine, attitude of openess.

Place a candle at eye level. Rest your eyes upon the flame

Offer all heaviness/old energy into the flame to be transformed

With a soft receptive gaze - not so much “looking” as “receiving light” - receive the light in through your eyes and heart

Finish by closing your eyes and visualizing/feeling the candle flame as a steady light in your innermost heart - like a lantern shining

Interpretation: By contemplating and expanding our inner light we become free from suffering. May my inner luminosity is glow bright. (This mantra is a heart opener on the inside and the chanting equivalent of doing a large chest opener like a backbend. )

Credit: Thanks to Missy Felsenstein of Inner Sounds Yoga for sharing this powerful mantra with us during the Harvesting Wholeness series!​